Successful Easter Ross dementia project gets an extension
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A trailblazing Easter Ross dementia project based in a woodland cabin throughout last summer, was so successful it is being extended to take in the next few weeks.
Funding has been won so that Evanton Community Wood can run an eight-week course which started last Friday.
It will involve a programme of storytelling and crafting activities aimed at those with early onset dementia, and their carers.
It is a continuation of the series of engaging and fun sessions managed by Evanton Wood last summer which were hailed as being very helpful to people with this condition.
The programme starting today will culminate with "memory" blankets that each participant will design and create.
Evanton Wood education co-ordinator Simon Harry said: “This is a great addition to our summer dementia programme as we have secured funding to continue this programme of activities in the woods throughout the early part of this year.
"The work will be focused at Evanton Community Woods utilising the woodland cabin as a base and using the surrounding forest environment to help bring to life the memories and ideas of the group.
"We will be working closely with local artist Lizzie McDougal who has been a big hit with our group."
He added: "Lizzie will lead the sessions with input from Evanton Wood staff and volunteers. The process will start with two storytelling sessions in which Lizzie will encourage the sharing of memories and stories from each couple within the group. Lizzie and the group will then create sketches from these conversations to use as prompts for the group to aid their design of the memory blanket."
The programme is supported by the UK-wide DEEP project (Dementia Engagement and Empowerment), and the blankets will be used at a DEEP gathering to be run at Evanton Woods in the spring. This gathering will be a celebration of all the positive outcomes that those with dementia in the Highlands have achieved.
The Evanton Wood programme will run each Friday from 10.30am - 2pm at the woodland cabin which is a short walk from the top of Chapel Road. Those attending should follow the signs into the wood, and lunch is included.
Last May a 10-week series of Get Outdoors sessions were run at the cabin thanks to a £15,000 funding boost that should see it repeated this summer and next. The sessions involved participants working with willow weavers, woodland artists and archery instructors.
Young people from nearby Kiltearn Nursery also became involved with the older generation by attending craft sessions.
For more information on the activities on offer in Evanton Wood please contact Simon Harry on 077947772066 or email simon.harry@forest-education.co.uk
